JulyFest music and arts festival to be held July 6, 7 in Mentone

Headlining this year's JulyFest in Mentone is country star Leah Seawright, who will perform with her band, which includes drummer Mark Herndon, shown above, formerly with the group Alabama. (Contributed by JulyFest)

MENTONE, Alabama – For the second year, this picturesque mountain town will be host to JulyFest Art and Music Festival.

The event, to be held July 6 and 7 in Mason Park in Mentone, features arts and crafts, free music by notable Alabama bands, a pet parade and more. It is sponsored by the Mentone Area Arts Council.

Headlining this year’s event is country star Leah Seawright, who will take the stage from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday with her band, which includes drummer Mark Herndon formerly with the group Alabama.

The inaugural JulyFest drew thousands to the town atop Lookout Mountain.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 6 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 7. Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Activities take place rain or shine and admission is free.

Registration for the pet parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Mason Park with the parade taking to the streets at 10 a.m. Festival goers can also take part in the silent auction and dog adoption to benefit the Humane Society and Animal Resources of DeKalb County.

Live entertainment is slated for Saturday and include performances by saxophonist Bill Henson of Rainsville at 11 a.m., banjo player and vocalist Chris Hale at 1 p.m., and Mentone’s Jess Goggans at 3 p.m.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, Old Tymer’s Barbecue of Fort Payne will provide food on the grounds of the Mentone Inn as festival-goers enjoy the melodies of light-rock musician Jerry Bloom. Cost is $10 per plate.

On Sunday, July 7, Mentone’s Larry Joe Hall is slated to perform from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mason Park gazebo.

JulyFest Art and Music Festival is made possible through a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts along with title sponsor The Mentone Inn, presenting sponsor Mentone Springs Hotel, and other local sponsors Cool Breeze Cottages LLC, the Allison and Mark Jackson family and The Art Gallery at Mentone.